142 THE OVER-CHECK. 



They can travel easier and more gracefully when allow- 

 ed the free use of their head and sight, than any other 

 way you could manage them. You can more f ullv real- 

 ize the absurdity of using tliis appliance if you wall 

 notice the horses while hitched in the streets that have 

 the overdraw check reins on. You will see them paw 

 the ground, champing the bit, or turning the head to 

 one side in order to loosen the check. This is certainly 

 cruel. You should always use the side reins, and then 

 not draw the head higher than his natural way of carry- 

 ing it. In all my practice of handling kickers and all 

 kinds of nervous, high strung horses, I give them their 

 first training without any rein at all, allowino- them 

 free use of their head and neck, and then I rein them 

 very slack, simply to prevent them putting their heads 

 to the ground when we stop them. It is a rank bar- 

 barity, and a serious impediment to any horse. It 

 causes roaring, poll evil, paralysis of the shoulders 

 and bowed knees. The overdraw check should be pro- 

 hibited by law. The great horseman, Earey, says: 

 ^^The bitting bridle, as used, is one of the very worst 

 cruelties." 



If used at all, it should never be used when tight, 

 more than fifteen minutes at a time. I have seen 

 colts permanently injured by it. 



I am aware that many horsemen differ from me 

 on this subject, but I speak from experience and close 

 observation. For the sake of those who may dispute 

 my position in this regard, I adduce further evidence 

 in the shape of facts and opinions of imdoubted au- 

 thority. 



